France protests leave shops smashed and streets damaged across major cities

France was assessing extensive damage on Sunday after violent demonstrations over the rising cost of living turned into clashes, looting and fires across several major cities.

France was assessing extensive damage on Sunday after violent demonstrations over the rising cost of living turned into clashes, looting and fires across several major cities.

Streets in Paris were left scarred by burnt-out cars smashed shopfronts, graffiti and debris following Saturday’s protests. Officials said 557 people were in custody in the capital as authorities continued to respond to the unrest.

The demonstrations also affected Marseille, Bordeaux, Nice, Strasbourg, Lyon, Lille and Nantes. Hundreds of shops were reportedly looted, while several well-known retail outlets suffered damage. Images from the aftermath showed broken windows at luxury stores and other businesses alongside vandalised advertising boards and graffiti on shopfronts.

Two prominent buildings were also affected by fires. Limoges lost its 19th-century town hall to a blaze during the unrest while Lyon’s central tourist office was set on fire. Photographs taken on Sunday showed damage to the town hall’s facade and the aftermath of the fire at the Lyon office.

French Interior Minister Laurent Nunez said approximately 1,800 people had been arrested in connection with the protests and looting. Authorities were investigating the incidents to identify those responsible.

Around 500 police officers, firefighters and paramedics were reportedly injured during the demonstrations according to the interior minister.

The protests were organised under the banner of “yellow and youth” demonstrations called by the Yellow Vest movement. The movement has been associated with public anger over living costs and fuel prices.

Photographs from Saturday showed protesters confronting police, taking cover from water cannons and moving through smoke-filled streets. Other images captured the damage left behind the following day, including shattered storefronts, burnt debris and graffiti calling for wealth redistribution.

The scale of the destruction has raised concerns about public order and the economic impact on businesses already facing challenging conditions.

Authorities are continuing their investigations as France confronts the aftermath of one of the country’s most damaging recent protest episodes.